Well, we got a white Christmas, Squamish!
Throughout Dec. 25, up to 10 cm of the white stuff is expected.
There’s also an arctic outflow warning in effect.
It is chilly — -5.5 C at Squamish Airport at 11 a.m. — and getting chillier. With the wind chill, it will feel like - 12 C this morning and -14 C this afternoon, according to Environment Canada.
Tonight, expect cloudy conditions with a 60% chance of flurries.
Temperatures will reach a low of -10 C. With the wind chill it will feel near -17 C overnight.
Sunday, Dec. 26, there’s a 60% chance of flurries and it will be cold for Squamish, hovering at about -9 C.
Near-record cold temperatures are anticipated Sunday morning to Wednesday afternoon.
With the wind chill, it will feel like -20 C or below.
"An Arctic ridge of high pressure over the B.C. interior will bring strong and bitterly cold outflow winds to coastal communities beginning [Saturday night]," the Environment Canada alert states.
The wind chill will improve during Wednesday as temperatures increase.
"Frostbite and hypothermia can occur within minutes if adequate precautions are not taken when outdoors. Any outdoor activity exposes you to an increased risk of frostbite. Minimize exposed skin with hats, scarves and mittens or gloves. Anyone who is not dressed warmly is at risk of frostbite and hypothermia in cold weather."
How about those Squamish roads
When it snows, the District has at its disposal four heavy trucks (two tandems and two single axles), two F550s and one trail machine.
All are equipped with sanders and plows. The District also has a rubber tire backhoe, a loader and a grader.
As the white stuff falls, the District can send out five staff on night shift and a crew of between eight to 12 on day shift.
These numbers are based on everyone being healthy and available, director of public works Bob Smith told The Squamish Chief.
The budget in 2020 for snow removal was $426,000.
“Staff’s priorities according to our Snow Removal Policy are to maintain arterials and busy streets, transit routes and routes to schools,” Smith said.
“Once those are clear, then we move slowly and steadily through all the remaining locations, which can take some time. In a perfect situation, it takes us about three days to get the town cleaned up from when the storm ends. If anything happens — mechanical breakdowns, injuries, sick employees etc. — that time just gets longer. If another storm or weather event happens, we have to start again with the priority — red — routes and work our way down to the lightly travelled, flat cul-de-sacs.”
Biggest challenges to clearing?
Smith said plowing around cars parked on streets is challenging as they prevent or severely restrict equipment or don’t allow any space to push the snow.
“These situations make for very slow progress. It’s also challenging when drivers don’t give plows the right of way. Our plows have huge blind spots and if you can’t see the operator’s mirrors, they can’t see you,” he said.
The side streets are so icy!
The District applies salt or brine “as needed or when possible” to icy streets.
“We very rarely use sand or gravel as it is not that effective in the majority of snow conditions we deal with,” Smith said.
“Brine happens before the storm and prevents the snow from bonding to the road. That only works in certain temperatures and weather conditions, plus it only works with less snowfall. Heavy snow needs to be plowed off the road.”
Once plowed, salt is applied to the road to break up the ice.
“If we get more snow, then we need to plow again and add more salt,” Smith said.
In certain conditions, such as heavy, wet snow that has been driven on by vehicles, the plowing becomes very difficult, and crews will apply a 50/50 mix of winter sand and salt to help break up the ice and add traction on top of the ice, Smith said.
What can folks do to help get roads plowed faster?
Smith said there are a number of things locals can do to help get roads plowed as efficiently as possible:
- If it’s possible to move your car off the road when parked, please do. That gives crews more room to store the snow.
- Though it may be tempting, don’t let kids play on the snow piles on the roads, this can be very dangerous for the public and stressful for the drivers.
- Avoid shovelling or snow blowing the snow onto the roads. “This is very dangerous and means that we have to come back to that neighbourhood to re-plow the roads. It can cause icing and accidents,” Smith said.
- Remove garbage and recycling totes from the road as soon as possible to allow plows to remove snow.
- Give the snow removal fleet the right of way. They have limited visibility and need room to maneuver.
- Have snow-rated tires on your vehicles. It is the law on the highways.
- On a snow day, consider taking the bus to work, school or shopping. The red routes are cleared for the buses, and the routes are the staff’s first priority.
- If you don’t have to go out, stay home. Keeping your car parked in your driveway and off the roads gives crews more room to clear the roads faster.
- “If you feel that your road is missed — remember it takes a minimum of three days from when the storm ends for some areas — feel free to call the Public Works general phone line 604-815-6868 and leave a clear and concise message.” Leave your name, your address and a follow-up phone number and staff will get back to you.
- Shovel the snow out of the catch basin in front of your house to prevent flooding.
- Clear the snow from the sidewalk The District’s Frontage and Sidewalk Maintenance Bylaw requires all owners and occupiers to clear snow and ice from sidewalks adjacent to their property. The District clears sidewalk letdowns for accessibility and sidewalks adjacent to District property, bus shelters and vacant Crown property.
“Please be patient. We are doing our best,” Smith said.
“Thank you to all residents for their patience and friendly waves to our snow clearing operators!.”
